English Doctoral Programme NewsletterAp ril, 2 0 1 6Vo lu me V, Issu e 1

E d ito rs: E rzse b e t F an n i To th , Tamara P re ve n d ar, F atma Tu b a Ayd in an d O lga Ro gu lin a

Content

Welcome note 1

Farewell note 2

Alumni in Spotlight 3-4

PhD project in spotlight 5

News about Fellow Students 6

News from scientific world 7

Call for papers 8-10

Summer schools 11

What‘s going on in Vienna 12

Welcome to the first edition of our English Doctoral Programme Newsletter in 2016!The new edition covers a wide range of topics. We start off with the Farewell notewritten by By Tuba Aydin and Himanshu Giri to Dr Elizabeth Vykoukal, Professor, mentorand one of the founders of SFU, who inspired and helped us to rise and soar. Secondly, ouralumni - Dr. Anita Pilika from Albania takes a look at her Ph.D. study at SFU as “one of thebest programs from her personal experience” and its significance in her currentprofessionally successful career. Another alumni – Dr. Romana Kress from Sloveniafascinatingly tells us that “doctoral study at the SFU has helped her to reinforce herprofessional identity,” which she likens to “the birth of a child or a stepping across asignificant threshold”.

Brian McSharry, our fellow student from New York bravely discloses his researchinformation and innovations on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome as the “most neglected disease inthe history of modern medicine.”

Thankfully “a very creative psychotherapist” and our fascinating fellow studentfrom Russia narrates us her personal development and making an amazing childrenillustration book, which gives her “pride for not given up…”

If you find intriguing the question of “What is psychotherapy research?” you canbenefit from our brief review of the “excellent book” written by Omar Gelo, Alfred Pritz,and Bernd Rieken, at our next article “News from the scientific world”. Finally, we turn toopening international opportunities for professional growth with the “Calls for Papers”and “Summer Schools”. Finally in our last article, we invite you to “Freud’s Dining Room.”

Producing this issue has been a result of real organisation and dedication fromeveryone involved. If you are interested in getting involved, email us. We look forward towelcoming any new contributors for future issues.

English Doctoral Programme Newsletter

Farewell note for Dr. Elisabeth Vykoukal

Dr. Vykoukal was one of the four founders of SFU, who had thecourage to put the first stepping-stones in our establishment.Over the years, the International Department has grown a lotunder her guidance. With the help of this writing, we want tothank her for all her contributions.Her dedication and devotion to the clients in the clinic hasbeen an inspiration to us during our training. She had taken upthe challenge of working with neglected compulsive hoardinggroups that majority of the therapists would have reservationsworking with.Whether it be through lectures, workshops, supervisions, clinicmeetings or the excursion to the zoo, she inspired us andhelped us rise and soar. We will miss her as a professor butmore as a mentor and nurturer. We do not think we can everforget her compassion to help people in need.It is with a sad heart that we all bid farewell to her. We wishDr. Vykoukal all the best in the future.

By Tuba Aydin and Himanshu Giri

English Doctoral Programme NewsletterAlumni in Spotlight

Getting my Ph.D. at SFU in Vienna has been a life-changing event. My research topic was inChild Psychiatry, specifically in Autism Spectrum Disorder. I observed the impacts of Autismin the family that showed as symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress. My Ph.D.research proved to be the best experience that I have ever had in the research field. At theInternational Ph.D. Programme of SFU, I professionally acquired the knowledge required fordeveloping my hypothesis in a stable and sustainable direction. As such it helped me toclarify the methodology of the study and analyse the results thoroughly.

Having finished my Ph.D. I was determined to continue my scientific work. Ipresented my research findings at the National Conference of Psychiatric Association twoyears ago. I also published a small part of my dissertation in a brochure for professionalswho work in this field titled: "The Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised: IndependentValidation in Children with Autism and a Control Group in Albania". It is important tomention that the procedures for questionnaire validation were recognised and presented forthe first time in Albania. Accordingly, I am now able to undertake and provide professionalexpertise in different researches in this field. Hence, after this period, I was involved inscientific studies generally, and Autism Spectrum Disorders in particular, where one of themost important investigations are in genes level. A group of specialists from TorvergataUniversity Hospital was the main leader of this research, cooperating closely with Albanianspecialists of Autism Spectrum. The results of this project are in the process of publication.Other studies focused mainly on the psychosocial dimensions. I am currently a tutor forPh.D. students of psychology at the European University of Tirana. The goal is to help andguide them develop their thesis. One of the interesting research projects I'm currentlysupervising is "Autism and ABA Therapy Application on Parents and the Impact of theTherapy on the Family". I would be honored to recommend new students from Albania, whowish to study at Sigmund Freud University, to pursue the Doctoral Program as one of thebest programs from my personal experience.

Dr. Anita Pilika

English Doctoral Programme NewsletterAlumni in Spotlight

It has been two years since I attended the SFU in Vienna and successfully defended mydoctoral dissertation "Changing the Sense of Self Through Ritual: Psycheritual as aPsychotherapeutic Intervention." I can say with all certainty that it has been a life-changingexperience for me, similar to the birth of a child or a stepping across a significantthreshold. SFU offered an extremely facilitating environment that enabled this experience.Currently, I am incorporating this newly gained knowledge into my psychotherapy practice. Ihave also started to develop workshops that are designed for participants to contact andexperience the depths of their psyche. It is my intent to enrich the profession ofpsychotherapy with knowledge from Cultural Anthropology and genuine Spirituality. Thesedisciplines that have implicitly been a part of healing profession including psychotherapy isonly now being recognized, at least in Slovenia, for its traditional wisdom.

Since the completion of my dissertation, I became a professional consultant at thepsychotherapy centre, CORP in Ljubljana. A group of like-minded psychotherapists andstudents of psychotherapy from different schools have established this safe place thatpromotes our work to the wider public.

Last but not the least doctoral study at the SFU has helped to reinforce myprofessional identity and has given me greater confidence in what I do. It has enhanced myappreciation of psychotherapy research that gives us much-needed knowledge into what wedo, why we do it and how we make ourselves more efficient.

Romana Kress, Dr. scient. pth., univ. dipl. psih.Transpersonal Psychotherapist (EAP, EUROTAS)www.transpersonalnapsihoterapija.si

Dr.Romana Kress

English Doctoral Programme NewsletterPhD research project in spotlight

Brian McSharry, BA, MA, JD, Attorney-at-Law (New York) is a 3rdsemester Ph.D. student in our programme

Brian's research focuses on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which is a physicaldisorder resulting from the body's inability to produce collagen of sufficienttensile strength. The collagen deficiency has an underlying geneticmechanism that leads to EDS with notorious pains.

Despite obvious physical signs, such as joint hypermobility, physiciansmay dismiss the complaints of an EDS patient as representing nothing morethan a psychiatric condition. Consequently, the affected individual may thenbe "turfed" to a psychotherapist. By the time EDS is ultimately diagnosed byanother physician, the EDS sufferer's life may have been marred by self-doubt, stigmatization, mistreatment and unfounded allegations of primarypsychiatric illness.

Brian's work examines the underlyingthis bio-psycho-social dynamics through alimited-realist-social-constructionist lens.In so doing considers such issues as thestigmatization of pain, sickness anddisability; "invisible" disability anddiscrimination; the social denial of deathand the mythologization of the medicalprofession and its power to cure illness;and, medical narcissism.

English Doctoral Programme NewsletterNews about Fellow Students

For many years, I have been working with children whose families immigrated to anothercountry. As a professional, my aim is to aid these children and their families during integrationprocess by providing tools that could ease their acculturation.

Three years ago, in Vienna, after a strange dream, I woke up with a new idea for writinga book. To be more precise, it was a fairytale about a magical world where little snakes werefriends with clouds. I could not tell if it was a dream or an earthquake in my unconscious.However, I could sketch the whole book from its cover to characters in my mind. «How strange»- I thought and tried to forget it. However, I could not. Every day I found myself painting someclouds with different faces and little snakes on the corners of my patient’s notes. I told myfriends about my fairytale. They liked it a lot and assured me that I should write it down.Following their suggestions, I requested my artist friends to draw the illustrations for the book.Although my gifted friends tried their best, it did not bring satisfactory results. It just did nothave the right colors, right eyes, or the tails did not have the right length… At the end of theday, my friends put their pencils aside and suggested me to draw it. This project remained untilmy arrival to Moscow. My hometown has taken me well. I started very quickly to see patientsand in a short period, I was looking for some new inspiration aside of psychotherapy. Then I findthese professional courses for children books illustrators. Of course, I already had someexperience in fine arts - few months of painting classes that I had taken when I was 13 and lotsof sketches that I drew in notebooks during the lectures at the university J

Already on the first day at the art school, I recognized that I was the sole person withinthe group, who did not have a major in art. Furthermore, apart from the German languagecourse, this was my first non-psychotherapeutic training, since secondary school and our teacherwas taking it seriously with us. We learned everything from icon painting and callig raphy toPhotoshop and design. For six months, I was running with protruding eyes from one paintingstore to another, drawing thousands of different snakes and clouds, searching intensively on theweb for new prints and texture. My right hand ached constantly; my working space and clotheswere smeared with paint. I could have given up, and never took a brush again in my hands if itwere not for the support of my colleagues from the group. I did not quit, finished my book andpassed the exam.

Of course, by the exhibition of our diploma works everybody could find the illustrationsmade by "a very creative psychotherapist» like my tutor used to say, but I am still very proud ofmyself for not having given up… I could also say, I am already working on my new book, thistime; it is going to be about eggs J

Our Ph.D. student Ekaterina Makarova published children illustration book

English Doctoral Programme NewsletterNews from the scientific world

When we speak of psychotherapy, we need to differentiate thepsychotherapeutic practice of psychotherapy as a science. If you are apracticing therapist, well aware of applied psychotherapy, the question ofscientific psychotherapy could pose a challenge. This book will help you tofind the answers to fundamental questions, like: “What is psychotherapyresearch? What should it primarily address? How should it be carried out?”The book is organized into three parts and aims to provide the readerswith knowledge on these topics; foundations of psychotherapy research inhistorical, philosophical, and theoretical levels, and its applications topsychotherapy process and outcome. The clear language of the book makesit accessible to researchers and clinicians, from different orientations. As ahighly structured book, it presents a balanced mixture of topics, whichprovoke the interest of readers. In chapter two dedicated to the Prehistoryof Psychotherapy and its Implications for Psychotherapy Science:Shamanism, Folk Medicine, Philosophy, and Religion you could find themeaningful quote of German poet Kurt Tucholsky: “Who wants to measurethe limitations of his home should travel. Who wants to measure thelimitations of his time should study history." So, with this book, you havethe chance to explore the development of understanding the psyche in thevariety of sciences at different time periods."This excellent book extensively covers the psychotherapy process andoutcomes, supplying hundreds of references for follow-up." (Gary B.Kaniuk, Doody's Book Reviews, 2015).

Book published by our facultyPsychotherapy Research: Foundations, Process, and OutcomeEditors: Omar Carlo Gioacchino Gelo, Alfred Pritz, and Bernd Rieken(Springer Verlag Wien, 2015)

English Doctoral Programme NewsletterCall for Papers- Journals

The Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy seeks contributions from practicingpsychotherapists on aspects of ‘Clinical Errors’ including any mistakes that apsychotherapist may make through clinical judgment with clients, supervisees, supervisors,or in consultation and can be explained by theory as well as specific thought processes andbehaviors.Deadline:April 1, 2016More information: http://societyforpsychotherapy.org/call-for-papers-clinical-errors/

Psychoanalytic Psychology is the official journal of APA seeks contributions related to•Psychotherapy theory and research•Developmental theory and research•Psychopathology theory and research•Diversity theory and research•Psychoanalysis and the neurosciencesMore information: http://www.editorialmanager.com/pap/default.aspx

Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research ® (CPJ) is a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal ofAPA seeks contributors regarding:•theoretical/conceptual research with implications for consulting•original research regarding consultation•in-depth reviews of the research and literature in specific areas of consultation practice•case studies demonstrating the application of innovative consultation methods andstrategies that highlight critical or often overlooked issues or have unusual features thatwould be of general interest to consultants•research on consultation practice development•manuscripts addressing the unique challenges encountered by consulting psychologists inapplying their knowledge and skill to the problems of clientsMore information: http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/cpb/index.aspx

English Doctoral Programme Newsletter

Call for Papers46th European Association of Behavioural andCognitive Therapies congress, to be held inStockholm between August 31st and September 3rd2016 invites you to submit papers, posters, roundtableand workshop ideas.Important dates to remember:March 17 – Pre-congress and In-congress workshop dueMarch 24 - Clinical roundtable and Panel discussion dueMarch 31 – Symposium dueApril 7 – Open paper dueApril 28 – Poster abstracts dueFor more information see: http://eabct2016.org/

22. Congress of European Association for Psychotherapy is taking place in Zagreb from 30thSeptember to 1st October 2016. The theme of the Congress is “Autonomy and a Sense ofBelonging”. We invite you to actively participate in and contribute to the success of this Congress.This will be a gathering point for European psychotherapists interested in the essential topic ofpsychotherapy – working with the struggle between autonomy and sense of belonging.Abstract deadline: April 10th, 2016More info: http://www.eapzagreb2016.euFacebook page: EAP Congress 2016 in Zagreb - Croatia

English Doctoral Programme Newsletter

Call for Papers

TO THINK IS TO EXPERIMENT: Postgraduate Research Day, University of EastLondon, University Square Stratford, 20th April 2016

The Centre for Narrative Research (CNR) organises the annual Research Day for postgraduateresearchers on 20th April 2016, at the University of East London, Stratford Campus.

We invite papers focusing on doing narrative analysis, discussing and reflecting onanalysing narratives. Narrative analysis refers to both broader epistemological approaches toanalysing narratives and specific narrative models and forms of analysis. We are specificallyinterested in papers discussing reflective/reflexive narrative analytical practices. Papers mayfocus on philosophical, methodological or ethical challenges that researchers tackle at anystage of the analytical process.

We look forward to meeting participants from various institutions and organisations for afriendly and fruitful day of presentations and discussions, as we did over the past years. To'Think is to Experiment' has been a narrative space for postgraduate researchers from variousdisciplines for fifteen years. The event has been home to stimulating presentations and intenseconversations on the multiplicities in narrative-based research, approaches and experiences.This is a call for papers for all postgraduate researchers. Participants can contribute with ashort paper (15-20 minute long) or a poster.

Abstract deadline: 11th March 2016More info: https://www.uel.ac.uk/cnr/seminar/experiment/

Uppcoming event

The future of psychological therapy: from managed care

to transformational

practice

Regent’s University

London, London

April 9th 2016

English Doctoral Programme Newsletter

Summer SchoolsNew Summer Schools in Political Science and Psychology at the 650-year-old University of Pécs in HungaryThe University of Pécs, the oldest and one of the largest universitiesin Hungary, is organizing two new International Summer Schools inPolitical Science and Psychology from 30 May to 24 June 2016.Covered topics:Political Science Summer Program: Central Europe in the 21stCentury: Migrants and MinoritiesPsychology Summer Program: Psychological responses to permanentand actual challengesParticipating students will receive up-to-date knowledge aboutmigration, one of the main political and sociological challenges oftoday’s the European Union. The Summer Schools are open toundergraduate and postgraduate students majoring in SocialSciences.The language of instruction: English.Each summer school program is awarded 8 ECTS credits.Deadline for application: 1 April 2016.Further information: international.pte.hu/psychology_summerschooland international.pte.hu/politicalscience_summerschool

10th Summer Institute on Alcohol, Drugs and Addiction, which will be held at the Graduate School of Social Sciences at the University of Amsterdam from 10 July - 21 July 2016 is now accepting the participants.The programme offers graduate students of various disciplines and professionals agreat opportunity to advance their knowledge in the field of addiction studies inan international environment. The Institute is an intensive two-week summerprogramme is built around four themes: an overview of policies and the history ofthe concept of addiction, contemporary prevention services, the current state ofaffairs, and an assessment of treatment innovations. Each module concludes with aworkshop integrating concepts into daily clinical, policy, and research practices.Deadline for Applications: April 1 (rolling admissions)More info: www.uva.nl/summer-addiction

The Essex Summer School in Data Analysis11 July - 19 August 2016There are many courses available in this summer school that can be chosen at http://essex.ac.uk/summerschool/pages/courses/CoursesInfo.htmlApplication deadline: May 1st, 2016More info on: http://essex.ac.uk/summerschool/

English Doctoral Programme Newsletter

What is going on in Vienna

Freud’s Dining Room - Furniture Moves Memoryan exhibition at the Austrian Museum of Folk Life and Folk Art

What is going on in ViennaThe Freud Museum in London hosts five pieces of furniture belonging to a dining roomof a weekend house owned by Anna Freud and Dorothy Burlingham in Hochrotherd (inthe vicinity of Vienna). The psychoanalyst and an educator purchased this decoratedfurniture around the 30s. In 1938, Freud decided to leave Austria with his familyfacing the Nazi Power after the ‘Anschluss'. Nazi rulers had previously liquidated TheVienna Psychoanalytic Association together with affiliated institutions and confiscatedits assets. What's more, Sigmund and Anna Freud had to cover the costs of liquidation.When the family left the country from Vienna’s Westbahnhof station on 4 June 1938,all of their domestic assets were seized. American Dorothy Burlingham exported thefurniture from Hochrotherd. The exhibition at the Austrian Museum of Folk Life andFolk Art traces the journeys of this furniture and the significance that they held forAnna Freud, in the context of her forced immigration. They, or rather, theirabstractions, form the nucleus of the museum’s permanent furnutire display. Theexhibition brings this history back to Austria, where they originated. This historyentails emotions and the dimensions of the past marked with losses. The exhibitionalso reflects on its own form of presentation and through the objects, made inVienna, plays with the ‘aura' of the historical but absent originals. (Information fromthe website of the museum: www.volkskundemuseum.at)

The exhibition is open until the end of May 2016 in Laudongasse 15–19, 1080 Vienna